Friday, May 18, 2012

While getting tough on drugs is a tried and true strategy to winning an election, pro-marijuana groups are being credited for playing a decisive role in the primary victory of Democrat Ellen Rosenblum for Oregon's attorney general race.

Rosenblaum, a former judge, promised to prioritize enforcement of marijuana laws at the bottom of Oregon's law enforcement duties. Her opponent, former U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton, called the state's medical marijuana laws a "train wreck" and shut down growers and collectives.

Pro-marijuana organizations, such as the Drug Policy Alliance and Citizens for Sensible Law Enforcement, contributed to Rosenblaum's campaign war chest.

Holton was an early favorite for the nomination, but Rosenblaum pulled in 64 percent of the vote, compared to Holton's 36 percent.
Rosenblaum downplayed the role of the pro-marijuana groups, though The Seattle Times reports they were ecstatic with the results.

Ethan Nadelmann, executive director Drug Policy Alliance and its campaign branch, Drug Policy Action, said, "What we're hoping, and what we assume, is that any U.S. attorney who's thinking of running for statewide office in a Democratic Primary anywhere in the country is going to think twice now before adopting a highly aggressive posture toward the medical marijuana law."